Cancer Survivor Gifted ‘Fairy-Tale’ Wedding by Ritz-Carlton: ‘The Generosity Showered on Us Was Truly Overwhelming’

The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami made a deserving couple’s wedding dreams come true.

Last month, the resort hosted the all-expenses-paid wedding of Morgan Hartman and her now-husband Phil Deamezola, both of whom have recently faced significant health issues. Hartman was diagnosed with cancer in 2020, and Deamezola suffered an abdominal aortic aneurysm earlier this year.

“We were blown away,” Hartman tells PEOPLE of learning that she and Deamezola were chosen as the lucky recipients of the Gift of a Lifetime program, which the resort launched in partnership with Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute. “We both have strong spiritual beliefs and it seemed like confirmation that we were a good match and should be together.”

Every detail of the couple’s lavish Oct. 19 wedding — from their attire to the reception decor — was handled by the Ritz-Carlton and a long list of generous local vendors.

“I think we underestimated the size of the donations – the time, the services, the ingredients for a fairytale wedding. The goodwill, love, kindness and generosity we were showered with was really overwhelming at times,” notes Deamezola.

Morgan Hartman and Phil Deamezola celebrate their wedding at the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami.

Studio of Alain Martinez

The couple’s health crisis began in December 2020, when doctors discovered a cancerous tumor in Hartman’s esophagus. She immediately underwent treatment that included surgery, chemotherapy and radiation – and Deamezola was by her side through it all, taking her prescriptions, making healthy juices, offering comforting back massages and helping her manage the feeding tube she needed after surgery.

“I couldn’t have done any of this without his love and support,” she says.

Deamezola surprised Hartman by popping the question on Christmas Day that same year, though the couple understandably decided to hold off on any wedding planning until Hartman’s treatment was over.

“Phil proposed with a beautiful ring, and then we thought, ‘Maybe we shouldn’t get married because I’m sick. Maybe we should wait until we’re healthy and the dust settles,'” Hartman explains.

Morgan Hartman and Phil Deamezola kiss on their wedding day.

Studio of Alain Martinez

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Earlier this year, she celebrated two years of being cancer-free. However, Deamezola suddenly fell ill and needed emergency surgery at Baptist Health for his aneurysm.

After recovering, the couple finally committed to the wedding. Hartman decided to apply for Gift of a Lifetime, and soon they got the exciting news that they were chosen.

When their long-awaited wedding day arrived, they enthusiastically said “I do” with their loved ones watching. “The day was magical,” Hartman tells PEOPLE of the nuptials. “Everything came together. From start to finish, it was flawless, joyful, full of love, full of hope and good mood.”

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Morgan Hartman and Phil Deamezola embrace on their wedding day.

Studio of Alain Martinez

They especially loved the stunning ocean backdrop at the Ritz-Carlton, which made their ceremony even more special. “I couldn’t have planned a more perfect day in my dreams,” notes Hartman.

“Everyone was excited to be a part of the wedding,” she continues. “My brother-in-law and nephew walked me to the altar, his children stood up with us, my mother wore sequins. We danced with my parents.”

In a particularly touching moment for Hartman, she and Deamezola were called upstairs as their reception drew to a close to do “one last media thing” as part of the Gift of a Lifetime program — only, it turned out, they had a very special guest waiting to surprise them.

“My thoracic surgeon [Dr. Derosimo] came out of the back room to hug us and congratulate us,” Hartman recalls. “This man is busy and took time off to highlight our amazing day.”

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Morgan Hartman hugs Dr. Derosimo as husband Phil Deamezola looks on.

Studio of Alain Martinez

She says that she was overcome with emotion by his touching gesture. “I cried! It was very meaningful and the perfect way to end the whole thing.”

Now the couple is looking forward to their future together – with a lot of gratitude. “We are grateful for our lives filled with love, joy and fun,” Hartman tells PEOPLE.

“We are thankful that there is life after cancer and major medical issues,” she continues. “We are grateful to each other, to our families and friends, to the amazing people at Baptist Health and Miami Cancer Institute, to the generous people at the Ritz-Carlton, and to all the people who helped make our wedding day a dream come true.”

“Any word more than gratitude? We are,” declares Hartman.

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Source: HIS Education